Are We Ready for His Coming?
Are We Ready For His Coming? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 6 viewsA New Year's message on expecting the day of the Lord and what to do before that day.
Notes
Transcript
Key Verses
Key Verses
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Introduction
Introduction
Our modern day calendar counts the year from January to December, then repeats. How do you think the Jews count their years? They may have done it through their feasts, particularly the 7 feasts.
They view time as certain periods that is to come. That’s why they group their feasts:
https://revelationpupil.wordpress.com/2016/11/16/187/
Passover
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
First fruits
The Feast of Weeks (also known as Pentecost)
The Feast of Trumpets
The Day of Atonement
The Feast of Tabernacles
The Jews had a different calendar than ours. The year starts with the Passover, then ends with the Tabernacles. All these feasts points us to Jesus.
https://www.holylandsite.com/old-testament-feasts-jesus
“Aeons” (ages)
Age to age = forever and ever
The Jews also have a concept of “aeons”
Jesus introduced to them the concept of eternity when He spoke to them about eternal life, and the coming Kingdom of God. But even so, the Bible uses “aeons” meaning “age” to speak about time. Thus, they don’t particularly celebrate new year.
Right now we are in the end times. From the time of Jesus’ first appearance as man, up to the Tribulation period is the years gap before the Jewish’s The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement
The Feast of Tabernacles.
What are we waiting for?
The 7-year Tribulation period.
The Second Coming of Christ
The Millennium Reign of Christ.
The Judgement Seat of Christ
The Great White Throne Judgement
The Lake of Fire
The New Heavens and New Earth (New Jerusalem) and the Kingdom of God.
What we are to celebrate next is the time we will spend our eternity in Heaven, more so, the coming Kingdom of God.
Are we looking forward to these things to happen?
https://westsidebaptist.church/what-is-dispensationalism-and-is-it-biblical/
The Day of The Lord:
Tribulation Wrath
The Day of The Lord:
Tribulation Wrath
The Grace New Testament Commentary C. God Has Promised Eternity with the Lord (5:1–11)
The day of the Lord, an expression used often in the Old and New Testaments, always refers to a coming time of temporal judgment
The Grace New Testament Commentary C. God Has Promised Eternity with the Lord (5:1–11)
Sometimes in the OT and NT it refers to one of two future judgments: the Tribulation or the putting down of the final rebellion at the end of the Millennium, which is immediately followed by the burning up of the present heavens and earth.
In our timeline, what we are waiting for is the second coming of the Lord, the Day of the Lord. Before His coming, there will be great tribulation.
Pre-tribulation View
This is a Pretribulation view of the Rapture. We are in the period between Christ’s ascension and the coming Great Tribulation. Believers will be raptured before that day comes in a Pretribulation view.
Midtribulation view
Post-tribulation view
Outline
Raptured in Glory
Expecting His Glorious Return
Our Glorious Identity
Sanctification for Glory
I. Raptured in Glory
I. Raptured in Glory
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Believers before the Lord’s day will be taken up - raptured.
The word “rapture” is not in the bible, but it is a Latin translation of the word “caught up” (harpazo in Greek).
Paul gives the Thessalonian church assurance that believers alive at the time of the Rapture and those who have died will be Raptured.
Key word: “in Christ”
How will the Rapture happen?
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
There will be a rapture (v. 17). Living believers will be caught up into the Lord’s presence without experiencing physical death.
II. Expecting His Glorious Return
II. Expecting His Glorious Return
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
Paul is talking here to believers as he addresses them as “brethren”
Paul is now reminding the believers that this day will come like “a thief in the night.” We don’t know when it will come.
“They” - the unbelieving world that will say that there is “peace and safety”. But we know that it is not true. Just recently we read of the attack of the U.S. on Venezuela. Just as things looks peaceful, war and destruction would come all of a sudden. Paul then says that these unbelievers will not be able to escape the Lord’s day.
III. Our Glorious Identity
III. Our Glorious Identity
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
In darkness: Unbelievers
In Christ: Believers
In contrast, Paul says that “you”, the believers”, are not in darkness, but are “sons of light and of the day.”
We will be raptured before that day comes. So it makes sense why Paul says that we will “overtake” “this Day”. Believers will not experience the wrath of God in the Tribulation
“In darkness” in verse 4 could mean unbelievers. Paul uses “darkness” in various letters to refer to unbelievers. As we are not “in darkness”, we are comforted that we will not be with those who will experience the lake of fire.
Paul uses “in Christ” to mean believers. Thus, it can also associate “in darkness” to refer to unbelievers.
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
“Of darkness” in verse 5 may imply believers who are living their lives in the darkness even if they are believers.
Believers still have the sinful nature. They can still sin. Paul describes the works of darkness as those works that are in sin. Same goes with his letter in Ephesians, he warns believers not to work in darkness.
How to walk in the light? Don’t walk in the darkness - avoid sinning. Have fellowship with Him.
Paul uses “of light and day” and “of night and darkness” and not “in”. This may not mean the “identity”, but
the “condition” of a believer “you.” So believers may be walking in the light, or in the darkness.
There is a play of words here. Paul is saying first that we are no longer “in darkness”, meaning, no longer enemies of God as unbelievers. But now as believers, we should not walk like those in darkness - sin.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
John had a similar concept of light and darkness.
To obey Him is to walk in the light; to disobey is to walk in darkness. Keep in mind that fellowship is a matter of light and darkness; sonship is a matter of life and death (3:4; 5:11–12)
Warren W. Wiersbe
Obedience to God’s word will result to fellowship.
The nearer you get to the light the more you are aware of the darkness.
The Sons of God, 187–88
David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)
Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
Sleep at night = Out of fellowship (sinning)
In context, “sleep” here is to be morally dead - out of fellowship.
The Grace New Testament Commentary C. God Has Promised Eternity with the Lord (5:1–11)
Let us not sleep is an exhortation to be morally alert in light of Christ’s soon return. The opposite of sleeping is given here: let us watch and be sober.
This year, let us not be asleep in our fellowship with the Lord. But let us be watchful and sober, expecting anytime soon Christ is coming.
Believers who “sleep at night” are those who sin, just as sin is usually done in the darkness of the night when they think no one sees. That’s why Paul uses the illustration of a person who get drunk at night. They are not sober. When you’re not sober, you cannot decide what is right from wrong, thus, you sin.
The Grace New Testament Commentary C. God Has Promised Eternity with the Lord (5:1–11)
Believers are also to put on as a helmet the hope of salvation. We must remember that salvation in First Thessalonians is not deliverance from eternal condemnation. It is deliverance from the Tribulation wrath. The believers’ hope—that is their certain expectation of a yet-future deliverance—should act as a protective helmet against all of Satan’s blows. Knowing that they are soon to be freed from this life is a great help to believers in their daily living.
As we are speaking of the day of the Lord, we are looking at the coming Tribulation. Believers are not afraid of the Tribulation because their hope is in Christ who will deliver them from it.
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Take note the “us” here includes Paul.
Salvation from the Tribulation Wrath of God
The “wrath” here is obviously not eternal damnation. Same as Paul’s usage in Romans 1, it may refer to the anger of the Lord against unbelievers.
In Romans 1, God is passive in His judgement against unbelievers on earth. But, He will be active in the Tribulation wrath as He starts His punishment to the unbelievers.
Believers are not appointed to God’s wrath in the Tribulation for we will escape that when we get raptured.
This is the hope that we have. "Salvation” here is not eternal life salvation, but saving from the Tribulation wrath that is to come.
This is one proof of the Pretribulation’s view. If believers will be raptured during the Tribulation or after it, then Paul is wrong in saying we will be saved from “wrath”.
who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Salvation from the “Tribulation Wrath” is guaranteed because of His death, not on how we live in our lifetime.
Why will we be saved from the tribulation? Because of His death. It is not because of our work or our trying our best to be sober in the day, but because He died for us.
Thus, even if we are sober “awake” (watchful) or not sober “asleep”, we will live with Him in Heaven.
The Grace New Testament Commentary C. God Has Promised Eternity with the Lord (5:1–11)
His death guarantees that as well for all believers. Though some today teach that unfaithful believers will miss the Millennium, their teaching is directly contradicted by this text (as well as others).
Why does Paul need to encourage us to be sons of light and sober in the day?
If we will be saved from the wrath because of God’s grace, then why does Paul encourage us to be sober in the day and be of light.
Eternal Rewards:
Commendation from the Lord (Luke 19:17)
Runner’s prize - an imperishable crown
(1 Cor. 9:24-25)
Privilege to reign with Christ in the Kingdom (2 Tim. 2:12)
A new name in the Kingdom (Rev. 2:17)
Entrance in the Kingdom’s gates
(Rev. 22:14)
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Paul ended chapter 4 and the discourse on the Lord’s day with comfort.
Paul tells the believers to comfort and edify co-believers of these truths.
Comfort: We will be raptured - saved from the Tribulation Wrath.
Edify: Allow Jesus to sanctify us.
IV. Sanctification For Glory
IV. Sanctification For Glory
In light of knowing that Christ is coming to take us before the day of the Lord, Paul tells us to be sober. He doesn’t leave the church of Thessalonica hanging on how to be sober. Thus, he gives them the following instructions to live by. This year, let us also live out these instructions.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Be sanctified and blameless:
Know and respect church leaders
Be patient with one another
Delight the Lord in Christ Jesus
Gratify the Holy Spirit
Know and respect church leaders
And we urge you, brethren,
to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Know the church leaders and respect them in love (follow).
The focus first is on the leaders of the church, the elders.
How can we esteem them if in the first place we are not going to church? Therefore, there is an implied encouragement here of Paul to go to church so you can know your leaders and be lead by them. Be in church!
To recognize is to “know” (“oida”) and acknowledge them. They are the ones who labor “among” you, the church. Get to know who they are.
To esteem is to respect them (“eygeomai”). Show honor and respect to them.
Why know and respect them? They help prepare believers for the coming of the Lord so that we will not be ashamed when He comes.
Paul is impliedly saying: “Go to church!”
The church leaders are to be diligent in admonishing the Church.
The Grace New Testament Commentary D. Closing Exhortations in Light of Christ’s Soon Return (5:12–22)
The work of the elders is to prepare the flock for the Judgment Seat of Christ. They rule over and warn the congregation. If the assembly responds properly to their guidance, it should be well prepared for the Bema.
The words “God’s flock” remind the elders that the congregation does not belong to them. It is God’s church, and they are given the privilege and responsibility of shepherding it.
Thomas Schreiner
2. Be patient with one another
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
The next focus is on the whole church, the body of Christ. These exhortations are acts of love to our brethren.
a. The first group to address are the unruly.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
These could mean those who are disorderly, or undisciplined in the church.
But in context of these verses, they could be the lazy ones who may be walking in the darkness or sleeping in the night. They may be unaware that the Lord is coming soon.
As an act of love, we are to warn them to grow spiritually, avoid sin, serve the Lord.
If proper, church discipline can be applied, not to put them down, but to help them stand up again in their fellowship with Jesus.
b. The second group are the fainthearted (“oligopsuxos”).
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
Compared to the first group, we are told to have compassion for them.
They are those who are discouraged. “The idea is one whose soul or spirit is wounded.”
“oligo” - “little”; “psuxos” - soul, life.
Other common term would be those who are “poor in spirit” as in Matthew 5:3 “3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Or, may be those who have “little faith” Matt 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; and Luke 12:28
The idea is one whose soul or spirit is wounded. (Robert N. Wilkin, “The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians,” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, ed. Robert N. Wilkin (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2010), 946.)
c. The third group are the weak.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
These could refer to the new believers. Paul described them as weak.
The way to uphold those who are weak is to strengthen their resolve to do what is right and to keep growing in the Christian faith, by discipling them so that they grow in their understanding and application of Scripture, and by avoiding unnecessarily offending them.
(Robert N. Wilkin, “The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians,” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, ed. Robert N. Wilkin (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2010), 947.)
Let’s disciple them.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
In dealing with these group of believers, Paul urges us to be patient with them all.
He contrasts patience, with “rendering evil for evil”. We shouldn’t retaliate against those who are unruly, fainthearted, or weak. We should be patient in dealing with them. They need help.
Be patient with them. Don’t condemn them, but act with love.
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
James helps us here. In helping these group of believers in the church, we are saving their soul, their life here on earth, from spiritual death. In other words, we are bringing them back into fellowship with God, and even with the church.
3. Delight the Lord in Christ Jesus
Paul now goes individually and inwardly in each believer’s spiritual lives. Godward.
He gives us 3 very well known admonitions.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
These are all difficult things to do. Interesting to note that Paul uses the imperative form in these verbs, meaning, these are commands. It makes sense since when we speak of the “will of God”, we usually relate it to God’s commands. God desires for us to obey His commands.
Note that this is one sentence. Thus, all three commands are described as the will of God.
a. Rejoice in the Lord always.
“xairo” - to rejoice.
What are we to rejoice about?
In context, we can rejoice that we know we will not experience the Tribulation, but will be raptured.
Paul rejoices during his suffering as a minister of the Gospel to the world. He rejoices when people become believers.
He rejoices when believers and unbelievers repents from their sins (2 Corinthians 7:9 “9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.” )
We can rejoice if we walk in the truth and not do iniquity (1 Corinthians 13:6 “6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;”)
How do we keep a mindset that always rejoices?
When we set our mind on the things of Christ. In context, the return of Christ and His Kingdom.
When speaking of joy, we should look also at happiness.
Our rejoicing is based on Godly things as we do works for God.
Happiness is dependent on circumstances.
Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not.
Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)
Happiness is caused by things that happen around me, and circumstances will mar it; but joy flows right on through trouble; joy flows on through the day; joy flows in the night as well as in the day; joy flows through persecution and opposition. It is an unceasing fountain bubbling up in the heart; a secret spring the world can’t see and doesn’t know anything about. The Lord gives his people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to him.
Dwight Lyman Moody (Evangelist)
b. Pray without ceasing.
The Grace New Testament Commentary D. Closing Exhortations in Light of Christ’s Soon Return (5:12–22)
“regularly,” or “all throughout your day.” Believers must not limit their communication with God to particular times, but must pray to God every day of the week, and all through each day.
Without ceasing
= regularly, all throughout the day
Setting aside a time of the day for prayer.
Talking to God in both busyness and rest.
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.
Unceasing prayer leads us away from sin as Samuel said as he exhorts Israel against sin.
O prayer! Prayer! It brings and keeps God and man together. It raises man up to God and brings God down to man. If you would keep your walk up with God, pray, pray without ceasing.
George Whitefield (Methodist Evangelist)
To “pray without ceasing” basically refers to recurring prayer, not nonstop talking. Thus it is to be our way of life—we’re to be continually in an attitude of prayer.
John F. MacArthur
“Pray without ceasing.” That doesn’t mean to do nothing but pray. It simply means to live in a constant state of God-consciousness.
John F. MacArthur
c. In everything give thanks
The Grace New Testament Commentary D. Closing Exhortations in Light of Christ’s Soon Return (5:12–22)
It commands the actual giving of thanks. That means in whatever circumstance one find himself, good or bad, he thanks God for things.
Thanksgiving is not only after a blessing, but in all circumstances and during each period of the circumstance.
Thank God:
In times of prosperity or in loss (Job 1:21)
For our brothers and sisters in Church (2 Thess. 1:3)
In serving in the church ministry (1 Tim. 1:12)
For the peace with Him through His Son (Col. 3:15)
For saving us from sin in this life (2 Cor. 2:14-15)
But life is God’s gift to us and He wants us to enjoy it and use it for His glory. So, instead of complaining about what you don’t have, start giving thanks for what you do have—and be satisfied!”
Warren W. Wiersbe
For three things I thank God every day of my life: thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of his works; deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to—a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song.
Helen Keller
It’s natural to give thanks for food when we’re hungry, but it’s also wise to give thanks after we’re full.
Warren W. Wiersbe
We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.
C. S. Lewis
4. Gratify the Holy Spirit
Do not quench the Spirit.
The next verses are also expressed in an imperative form. Thus, thes are also commands.
“quenching” means “extinguish”, “put out” like putting out a fire. The HS is figuratively described as fire.
But we cannot actually put out the Spirit in us for the Spirit will never leave us.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
The Lord has already sealed the Holy Spirit in us. No matter what we do after we become believers will not affect the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.
So in context, when Paul says do not quench the HS, it may better mean to “suppress” the Spirit. BDAG.
What we may be prone to quench or suppress is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. How do we do this? By sinning. That’s why Paul in Ephesians even said do not grieve the Spirit. Do not make it sad because of our sins. Do not disobey the Spirit when He wants us to do something.
Fire is quenched by pouring on water or by withdrawing fuel; so the Spirit is quenched by living on sin, which is like pouring water on a fire; or by not improving our gifts and graces, which is like withdrawing fuel from the hearth.
Thomas Manton
You quench the Holy Spirit by not doing something He tells you to do.
David Jeremiah
Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.
This is one way to quench the Spirit - by following wrong doctrine.
In context:
The Grace New Testament Commentary D. Closing Exhortations in Light of Christ’s Soon Return (5:12–22)
In the early church some men and women had the gift of prophecy which they would exercise in local-church meetings. These prophecies were not limited to foretelling the future. They also included words of instruction on how to live the Christian life.
But this created a problem. How did the members of the church decide which was truly a word from God and which was a false teaching?
How to test all things?
Know the Word of God in the Bible!
How would they know what is the Word of God is? - test all things.
How? Read the Bible since this is the revealed Word of God. How would we know what is right and wrong based on God’s standard if we don’t read it?
We are prone to be led astray with what other teachers are saying if we don’t read the Word.
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Another way to not quench the Spirit is to do what is good so that we can abstain from evil. We can only know what is good if we again read the Bible.
The Grace New Testament Commentary D. Closing Exhortations in Light of Christ’s Soon Return (5:12–22)
hold fast what is good. This means not only to hear and understand what is taught, but also to remember it, teach it to others, and obey it.
If we hold fast to what is good, then we can abstain, or avoid evil.
If we could note that Paul started by saying we need to know and respect our elders. This is important because these people will help us and guide us in case we have difficulty understanding the Word. They wil help us with our spiritual growth so that we can avoid quenching the Spirit.
Summary
Summary
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Paul ends with reminding the believers that all these instructions will not have it’s purpose. All these will bring about our sanctification.
But the sanctification process is not primarily our doing. It is still God doing these things in us. He is the one preparing us for His return.
All we have to do is cooperate, obey Him, and trust that He holds our ticket to His Kingdom. This is why Paul says He is faithful - to complete the salvation process, eternal glorification in Heaven.
Jesus is coming soon!
Be watchful and expectant!
Be sober and walk in the light!
Be sanctified and blameless:
Know and respect church leaders
Be patient with one another
Delight the Lord in Christ Jesus
Gratify the Holy Spirit
Prioritize later!
God is the future. You sacrifice something now for a better life in the future.
(Jimmy Carr)
When Jimmy Carr, a British comedian, was asked on stage by one of his audience, on “what’s the most meaningful life lesson you’ve learned thus far?”, he simply responded with two words: “Prioritize later!” “it is religion. God is the future. You sacrifice something now for a better life in the future.”
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
